The Hired Girlfriend (Harry Styles Fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty Seven

• Chapter Twenty Seven •

I nestled my hands between my thighs and pressed them together in anticipation. Beside me, Harry was relaxed as the Brit Awards proceeded. His hair was perfectly quaffed and his smile gave me goosebumps. Behind his left ear was the thin cigarette Harry always had on him whenever I was with him. Louis, whom sat on the opposing side of me, was staring aimlessly at the tiled floor beneath him. I wanted to hug him, or rub his shoulders. I wanted to do something to assure him that his breakup with Eleanor was for the best. Being away for so long, left feelings of longing that could not be subsided. They simply grew apart. This fact allowed an unnerving feeling to reside in the pit of my stomach. My contract to Harry was set to end in a month. This meant that I could no longer be on tour with the boys whatsoever. I had to continue on with my university education, with a rough idea where Harry was scheduled to be. I knew it would be hard. But what if another year went by, and it just gets too hard like Louis and Eleanor? What happens to us then?

The thought of losing Harry was terrifying. What if he grew tired of me? 

Harry noticed my eyebrows knitted in fear and my hands trembling. He slid his large hand into mine and secured it. I lifted our intertwined hands and kissed his palm. "And the winner of British Video Award goes to...One Direction's 'You and I.'" An uproar erupted for the crowd. Clapping, cheering and whistling. Harry let go of my hand as he stood up, with the other boys, to receive the award. You and I, being the song Harry assisted in writing, with accomplished lyricists many months ago. The one I saw him writing, and offered to help. The song he dedicated to me at the last concert. 

He walked up to the stage with one hand slid in the pocket of his black skinny jeans, looking as if he knew he was something to gawk at. I scrunched my nose in an attempt to not chuckle at how beguiling he looked. It was an honour to see him this way. He had come so far. 

I remember in the last year of high school when I was walking through the corridors and my eyes grazed over Harry. The week before, rumours had drifted around the neighbourhood that Harry was seeing an older woman. An older, married woman. He had reached an all time low, after his father left the family.

I first saw Harry just staring at his locker. I could have sworn that I saw a tear slip from his drooping eyes. I heard one of his friends call his name. He hesitated before turning around. That was when I saw his right eye. His skin was discoloured and he winced. On his lips, I noticed he had several cuts. Throughout the day I had heard that the woman's husband found out. My mother told me he didn't show up for work the rest of the week. When he finally returned, he did his work, swept the floor, but didn't say a thing. I offered to help pull the weight at the shop but she said no. 

Instead she asked if I would talk to him. She said he had a secret no body else knew. She told me that Harry's dad punished him, not the woman's husband. That there were more bruises on his stomach and lashes on his back. He cursed at Harry as he punched him, over and over again repeating that he was worthless.

When I saw Harry at his locker, it was then that I knew that he was nothing like his father. I knew that Harry wouldn't hurt a fly because he was hurt himself. As he turned to me I noticed that he screwed up his face. I then realised that Harry was trying to smile. He must have been in pain. After adjusting his shoulder strap he walked off in the opposite direction to his friends.

I saw how far he had come. All the pain that he had once experienced was now behind him. Instead of wallowing in the state he was once in, he picked himself up and made a life for himself. Everything that happened in his life before, motivated him to become the man he is today. Not a second in his life, not a hair on his head would I change. I glanced over and saw him looking at me. His lips rose into a smile and he waved. My heart fluttered like the first time I saw him. I knew he was perfect the way he is.

Harry's P.O.V:

I scoured the room from the stage. Looking, searching for her. I tried to picture where we were sitting but the spotlight was blinding. I saw many successful artists applauding us. We had won a Brit Award. I averted my gaze and my eyes fell upon her. She was a vision. She looked so innocent, so at peace sitting in her seat, clapping for us. She was proud of me. She had told me countless times before, but as I looked upon her, I felt her sincerity. 

It was good to see her smiling. Each time I see her upset, it reminds me of the day of the wake of her father. The scorching sun was burning her cobblestoned driveway. She was sitting gracefully on the worn tire swing that her father constructed when she was younger. Her backyard looked the same, as always, with two swallows perched on the brim of the birdbath, the aged china doll tree remained firmly implanted in the rich soil. But as I peered over her fence, I knew something was different. It was missing the two children that spent hours of daylight chasing each other around yard. Their father would rest on the hammock in the garden and watch his children play for hours on end. He never got bored.

I knew she saw the world differently that day. Instead of seeing her home as the place where she was raised, she now saw it as a constant reminder of everything she had lost. She viewed it as a place where she felt overwhelmingly trapped, defeat was suffocating her. 

I wanted to see her smile. Her eyes were cheeky and mischievous, however that day they drooped a certain sadness I had never experienced before. My mother told me to be nice to her at school. But every time I tried to, words wouldn't come out. I would scuffle away, embarrassed and never say a thing.

Now when I look at her and I don't see that little girl. I see a girl who loves her father and a girl who is incredibly strong and kind hearted. I look over at her and I notice she is staring at me. I mouth, 'I love you' to her and she mouthed it right back at me. 

I wished we could escape together. I never meant to bring her in the spotlight. I always envisioned a life with Noel. Before the contract, before I became just a name. Although I didn't see her first, she was never just a face in the crowd. 

When we were ushered off the stage, after taking a photo, I walked back to my seat. On the way I shook hands with Ed and Ellie, before standing before Noel. She stood up. She was beautiful. She was dressed elegantly; she was ravishing. I took her hand and pulled her out of the room. We slipped to the balcony. Once the sun vanished beneath the dark blanket, I was mesmerised by the illuminated sky. She laid her head upon my shoulder and we stayed there, just enjoying each other's company.  A girl has never had a lasting impression on me before, the way she did. 

"Noel," I whispered. She looked up at me. Her long eyelashes fluttered at me. She smiled softly, "Harry." She pressed her hips against mine. Her rich brown eyes were delicately mysterious and mostly inscrutable. I leaned closer and lightly brushed my lips against hers. She groaned at my teasing move and gripped a fistful of my button down and she held me near. "Closer," she mumbled against my lip. Her skin was soft and she tasted like sweet honey and vanilla bean. She shuddered as I kissed her, which made me smile. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I squeezed her briefly. She ran her fingers through my weaving curls. I shut my eyes impossibly tighter, wanting to remember this moment.

I had always wanted the happiness that people wrote about, spoke about and lived. For such a long time I believed I was never capable or deserving, of being happy. But I am. Everyone is. Noel taught me to see it. To feel it. And I will never trade this feeling with anything in the world.

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Hey, I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to update and sorry it's so short.

This book is coming to an end. I hope you enjoyed this update. Hopefully it won't be as long for another.

I'd like to thank everyone who messaged me to update, it was just more motivation. Please keep in mind this isn't edited. 

All the best,

Obey_Janoskian xxx